How to Prune an Olive Tree Topiary

Did you know olive trees can live over 1000 years? That’s crazy, right?!? We have a few ornamental olive tree topiaries in our front yard, which are only a few years old. We recently pruned them, and I wanted to share what I learned along with tips and techniques on how to prune an olive tree topiary.

Like with anything in life you learn as you go and practice makes perfect. These trees are beautiful with silvery foliage and the stately topiary profiles. The best care and maintenance assures the trees can live the best lifespan possible.

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About Topiary Trees

Olea Europaea

The botanical name for olive tree is Olea europaea, meaning European olive. The olive tree is a small evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean region, Asia, and parts of Africa. In Northern California we have a similar climate to the Mediterranean hence why it does well in our region with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Below are the variety we planted in our front yard remodel.

Why Prune a Topiary

Most well maintained plant life requires care and upkeep to allow it to thrive. Pruning is a key maintenance process for many garden varieties, improving health, shape, or productivity. Pruning the olive tree topiaries here is mainly to remove unnecessary limbs, improve light and air penetration, and direct new growth, nurturing the topiary lollipop design.

When to Prune an Olive Tree Topiary

The ideal time to prune olive trees is late winter to early spring. We did our pruning in late spring so we are running a tad late. As they say, better late than never. Also I would highly recommend pruning your olives trees every year. We’ve planted these trees three years ago and this is the first time being pruned. You can see the growth and change below.

2022 Newly Planted:

2023 One Year Growth:

2025 Before Pruning:

How to Prune an Olive Topiary Tree

Pruning olive tree topiaries is not as difficult as it seems. Just following a few simple steps makes the job easy and efficient. Beyond the basic pruning techniques, there’s also an aesthetic preference. Depending on the size and shape desired, requiring more or less pruning.

Assemble Tools

• Gardening shears and|or clippers
• Gloves (optional)
• Tape Measure
• Garden tub or bag

Remove Off-shoots

Start the pruning process with the off shoots. Clip all the small stems and branches sprouting from the base of the trunk. To maintain the lollipop topiary design you want all the growth on the top with an exposed trunk.

Measure for Trunk Clearance

Once the bottom of the trunk is clean move to the top of the truck where it meets the growing branches. You can use the tape measure to decide where you want the topiary head to start. This is especially important if you have multiple trees like we do to keep them all somewhat symmetrical.

Clip Low Laying Branches

Start clipping all the low laying branches to bring the topiary shape up. From there clip around the topiary for all the branches which stick out the most. Do this a few times, stepping back everyone once in awhile to look at the shape and make sure it remains compact.

Trim All Around for Desired Shape

Clip around entire topiary bringing shape in and making a more compact orb. Once again, stepping back every once in awhile to look at the shape and make sure it remains balanced. Continue trimming until the topiary top is full but manicured.

Tips & Recommendations to Keep In Mind

Regular Maintenance

After doing this for the first time I would recommend a heavy handed pruning in early spring since it grows quickly through spring and summer. Although I am pleased with the pruning clean up of our topiary trees, I regret not having cut them back more aggressively since they grow quickly, and we won’t prune again until next spring.

Shape

I’m loving the lush fullness of the trees now compared to the scrawny lollipop phase when we planted them. You want the topiary to be full and lush, but not bushy. The pruning process maintains the stately topiary shape, which you don’t want to loose, by removing unnecessary and unruly branches.

Protection

Gardening gloves and a sun hat might be prudent when working in the garden for an extended period of time. Early morning pruning is also recommended before the day is too hot or humid. Although we don’t have humidity to deal with in our region it does get crazy hot. We did our pruning around 9am and it was a great temperature. Work at the best time for your climate if possible.

Many Uses

Olive trees are not only beautiful in the garden, but they also provide many uses. The olive fruit and olive oil is used for culinary purposes. Our trees are purely ornamental and do not give off fruit. The wood is also used for many attractive crafts. We have olive wood bowls and platters we use in the kitchen. Last but not least, the silvery green leaves are used in many interior designs. Olive tree branches always make a statement.

From all the pruning of our trees I saved many branches, which I will be sharing in a project soon. If you would like to remain upto date and receive all new content directly to your in-box please feel free to sign up below. We would love to welcome you into the Masterpiece community.

Closing Thoughts

Do you enjoy gardening? Have you been playing in your garden this season? I can’t do as much as I would like to do due to my MS symptoms, but I’m lucky to have Miss Masterpiece home for the summer who is always willing to hold my hand and lend a hand.

Although I would prefer to be able to do it all myself, I do appreciate that she’s learning how to tend to the gardening needs around our property. Gardening provides so much joy and reward, plus can be therapeutic in the right conditions. I hope this helps you in your garden in some shape or form. Until next time friends. Au revoir!

Shopping the Garden Pruning Look

• Premium Garden Shears
• Ultra Sharp Japanese Steel Pruning Shears 
• Germany Pruning Shears, Arthritis Weak Hand Snips, 
• HANDLANDY Women Safety Work Gloves
• Durable and Comfortable Women’s Long Garden Gloves 
• Gardening Hat Wide Brim
• Siper Cute Gardening Baseball Cap
• Slip-on Gardening Shoes
• Yard Waste Bags

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The olive tree is surely the richest gift of Heaven. I can scarcely expect bread.”

Thomas Jefferson

sharing @ between naps on the porch